JACKSON, MI -- Democrat Barb Shelton said she worked hard to win Tuesday's primary,
while Earl Poleski said he has already been campaigning even though he
was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Now the two candidates who are pledging to work hard in the general election campaign will face each other in November in the 64th State House race.

Handout photoBarb Shelton

Shelton, 46, of Napoleon Township defeated Ruben Marquez II, 27, of Summit Township by a margin of 77 percent to 23 percent in the Democratic primary.

"I'm going to Lansing because I want to work for the people
in my district," Shelton said. "The people have overwhelmingly told me they want someone that
will represent them and bring the issues that they think are important into the Legislature.

"I hear a lot about education," said Shelton, a small-business owner who previously worked in marketing. "People are very concerned about the
cuts that they've seen in education. People want to see a middle-of-the-road
candidate who will work for everyone, not just special interests and certain
segments of a population. They want someone working for the citizens and not
just a party or a special interest or certain faction in Michigan."

Marquez II, a financial analyst, is from a political family. His father, also named Ruben, is chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Party and lost in the Democratic primary for the 7th District State House.

File PhotoEarl Poleski

Poleski, an accountant and former Jackson County commissioner, is seeking his second term in the Legislature.

"I work for everyone in the district, regardless of whether they voted for me," Poleski said, responding to Shelton's comments. "So from that perspective, our views are the same. You work for everyone in your district."

Poleski said the Republican-controlled Legislature has many achievements in the last two years. "Certainly we will emphasize the accomplishments we've made, but voters deserve to know
not about your history but what you still hope to accomplish."

Goals are more jobs, improvements to schools and roads and reforming the personal property tax that businesses pay on equipment, Poleski said.

Shelton said she and her supporters worked extremely hard since she announced her candidacy in March. She celebrated her victory by eating pizza with campaign volunteers.

VOTE TOTALS

DemocratsBARB SHELTON, 2,119 (77%)Ruben Marquez II, 636 (28%)

Unofficial results from the Jackson County clerk's office

"You know tomorrow we'll be back out knocking on doors," Shelton said Tuesday night. "I
want voters to know I'm out there working for them and I will not stop, whether I'm knocking on doors, or I'm in Lansing."

Poleski said he's already been going door-to-door six days a week, "campaigning as though I had a primary opponent.

"I'm not in session," he said. "I'm still on your payroll. I'm going to be out there talking to you."